This thesis aims to contribute to improving the quality of technological development
cooperation interventions. Using the theoretical framework of the Capabilities Approach and
Human Development, the research focuses on analysing the effects of four rural electrification
projects implemented by the NGO Practical Action in Cajamarca (Peru).
To carry out the study, the thesis provides the design of an ad hoc methodology to
analyse the effects of the projects on well-being and agency of people. The results confirm that
electrification projects through renewable energy bring benefits to communities, primarily
related to health (eg, reduced smoke in homes by replacing candles for electricity) or education
(best study conditions, use of computers, etc...). However, there are other benefits not covered
in advance by Practical Action but valued by the people: related, for example, with religion or
community participation.
However, the research reveals the limitations of projects designed exclusively to
provide a technology, electrification in this particular case, that do not take into account certain
elements elements which can make the use of technology contribute unequally to the expansion
of people¿s capabilities.
In this thesis it is proposed a view of the technology that, by reference to the main work
of Amartya Sen - Development as freedom, has been called Technologies for Freedom. This
approach aims to incorporate the central elements of the Capability Approach to technological
interventions, so the projects can expand the real options people value under the principles of
equity, sustainability, empowerment and agency. Finally, the study includes some
recommendations to be taken into account when planning technological interventions from the
perspective Technologies for Freedom.
The thesis is divided into three self-contained chapters complemented by an
introduction and a section for discussion of results and conclusions. Each self-contained chapter
is an article published in recognized scientific journals or prestigious publishing books. / Fernández-Baldor Martínez, Á. (2013). Technologies for freedom: una aproximación a los proyectos de cooperación de corte tecnológico desde el enfoque de capacidades [Tesis doctoral]. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/34459 / TESIS / Premios Extraordinarios de tesis doctorales
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:upv.es/oai:riunet.upv.es:10251/34459 |
| Date | 12 December 2013 |
| Creators | Fernández-Baldor Martínez, Álvaro |
| Contributors | Boni Aristizábal, Alejandra, Universitat Politècnica de València. Departamento de Economía y Ciencias Sociales - Departament d'Economia i Ciències Socials |
| Publisher | Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València |
| Source Sets | Universitat Politècnica de València |
| Language | Spanish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersion |
| Source | Riunet |
| Rights | http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/, info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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